Coach Kevin Baggett confirmed Thursday night that the junior guard is withdrawing from school and will seek professional opportunities.

Big Apple Buckets first reported the news.

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When reached by phone Thursday night, Baggett said he wasn’t blindsided by the news and knew it was something Lindsey, who played just the one season in Lawrenceville after transferring from St. John’s and being granted a hardship waiver, was considering before even joining Rider.

“It was always something we talked about,” said Baggett, adding that they came to the decision late last week while meeting during offseason workouts. “He was hoping he could piggy back a good year here into going overseas and making some money because he has a family in hardship.”

Lindsey’s life has been filled with personal tragedy. He’s lost two brothers to gun violence, a friend to cancer and his mother has been ill.

“He wants to help his family,” Baggett said.

Lindsey scored 26 points twice in the first four games, but struggled the rest of the way, finishing the year averaging just eight points per game.

He started in 30 of the 32 games he appeared in, but saw his minutes cut significantly the second half of the year as Baggett opted to play freshman Zedric Sadler.

“I just wish he could have had a better year to help him out more,” Baggett said. “We were always going to leave the door open that he would return.”

Baggett said he doesn’t regret the decision to bring Lindsey on board, but thought part of the reason things didn’t work out is that he was trying to adjust to different coaches.

Tommy Dempsey was still the coach when Lindsey made the decision to attend Rider.

“Playing for two different guys, Tommy wanted him to do something this way and then I would ask him to do it my way,” said Baggett, who went 19-15 in his debut season. “It was an adjustment for him. I just hoped he would have a better year.”

Baggett dispelled any notion that Lindsey was difficult to get along with.

“He worked hard,” Baggett said. “His teammates liked him. Never had any problems with him.”

The coach also confirmed that guard Jamal Nwaniemeka (Conwell-Egan) is transferring to Division II East Stroudsburg.